In recent years, Herceg Novi has established itself as a destination that successfully blends tradition, contemporary content, and an authentic Mediterranean spirit. A city of festivals, mimosa blossoms, rich gastronomy, and diverse events, it is increasingly shaping its image as a place that offers reasons to visit throughout the entire year. Through carefully designed programmes, a strong calendar of events, and the valorisation of its cultural and historical heritage, Herceg Novi confirms that a quality tourism story knows no seasonal limits.
For Share Montenegro, the Acting Director of the Tourist Organization of Herceg Novi, Darija Banićević, speaks about current tourism trends, reflects on the 2025 season, highlights the upcoming 77th Mimosa Festival, and outlines plans for the period ahead.
How would you assess the 2025 tourist season in Herceg Novi?
The 2025 tourist season in Herceg Novi can be assessed as stable and successful, with clear progress made towards extending the tourist season. We are particularly pleased with the increased interest from visitors outside the peak summer months, as well as the strong response to events that have further enriched the city’s overall tourism offer.
From the summer festival caravan in Herceg Novi, 2025
We continuously work on improving cultural and entertainment offerings by organising numerous programmes designed for all generations. Herceg Novi remains recognised as a gastronomic and family-friendly destination, as well as a city rich in cultural heritage, festivals, and quality entertainment. At the same time, special attention is given to the valorisation of natural and cultural-historical assets through existing and new projects that further motivate visitors to stay longer in our city.
How did the New Year and Christmas holidays unfold?
Despite unfavourable weather conditions, the New Year and Christmas holidays in Herceg Novi passed in an exceptionally positive atmosphere, supported by a rich and diverse programme that attracted a large number of visitors.
New Year’s programme – welcoming 2026
Cultural and entertainment events held in Park Boka, known during the holidays as the Park of Festive Magic, which opened in mid-December, contributed to strong attendance throughout the entire holiday period and helped maintain a positive atmosphere all the way to New Year’s Eve. This once again confirmed that a high-quality programme can mitigate the impact of weather conditions and that good entertainment does not depend solely on the weather.
The central New Year’s Eve celebration at the main city square, featuring performances by Haris Džinović and Neda Ukraden, followed by concerts by Željko Samardžić and Vesna Zmijanac the next day, further enhanced the attractiveness of the festive programme. After a brief period of bad weather, the programme continued in the Park of Festive Magic, and to the satisfaction of restaurateurs, hoteliers, and the local economy as a whole, guests remained in Herceg Novi. The results achieved so far show that we are on the right track, and that the previous year met our expectations.
What does this year’s Mimosa Festival bring?
The Mimosa Festival once again brings its recognisable blend of tradition and contemporary programming. Under the slogan “While everything sleeps, the mimosa awakens”, the 57th Mimosa Festival will feature around 60 folk, cultural, entertainment, gastronomic, and sports programmes, taking place over two weeks, from February 13 to 28.
A particular highlight is the Mimosa, Fish and Wine Festival, which will be held on February 14 along the Herceg Novi promenade, offering free food tastings. On this occasion, local hosts will prepare more than one tonne of fish, accompanied by wine, music, and great entertainment. The programme also includes masquerade balls, a flower exhibition, the 9th International Carnival, a competition in preparing traditional Boka dishes, Skalinada, Karotrc, Picigin, as well as numerous cultural and gastronomic events.
How important are events for the development of Herceg Novi as a year-round destination?
Events and cultural programmes play an extremely important role in the development of Herceg Novi as a year-round tourist destination. They enable tourist traffic outside the main season, strengthen the city’s visibility, and attract different target groups of visitors, thereby extending their length of stay.
The Tourist Organization of Herceg Novi includes a number of long-standing traditional events in its annual plan and programme, as well as events organised independently and numerous others that receive financial, logistical, and promotional support. Although the sea remains an important motive for visiting, it is not the only one, which is why special attention is given to sports, gastronomic, cultural and entertainment events, festivals, and themed programmes throughout the year.
What are the key goals for 2026?
The key goals of the Tourist Organization of Herceg Novi for 2026 will focus on further development of year-round tourism, strengthening the events programme, improving digital promotion, and raising the quality of services. Special attention will be dedicated to the development of cultural, health, and active tourism, with a clear message that Herceg Novi is a destination worth visiting throughout the entire year.
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